Which ACS medication reduces preload by causing peripheral arterial and venous dilation?

Which ACS medication reduces preload by causing peripheral arterial and venous dilation?

• A. Nitroglycerin
• B. Aspirin
• C. Clopidogrel
• D. Heparin

Answer: (D)

Nitroglycerin works by dilating the veins more than the arteries, which lowers the amount of blood returning to the heart (venodilation). This decreases the left ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure, reducing wall stress and the heart’s oxygen demand. In ACS, relieving this preload helps lessen chest pain and myocardial oxygen consumption. At higher doses, it can also dilate arteries and reduce afterload, but the key effect for preload is venodilation. Aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin don’t change preload; they affect clotting and platelet activity to prevent further thrombosis rather than altering the heart’s filling pressures.

Nitroglycerin works by dilating the veins more than the arteries, which lowers the amount of blood returning to the heart (venodilation). This decreases the left ventricular end-diastolic volume and pressure, reducing wall stress and the heart’s oxygen demand. In ACS, relieving this preload helps lessen chest pain and myocardial oxygen consumption. At higher doses, it can also dilate arteries and reduce afterload, but the key effect for preload is venodilation.

Aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin don’t change preload; they affect clotting and platelet activity to prevent further thrombosis rather than altering the heart’s filling pressures.